Three things are immediately apparent in this cello: firstly, it is very well-toned throughout the register, it speaks easily with great response throughout the dynamic range; secondly, it is a very beautiful instrument of exceptionally attractive materials, especially in the back; and thirdly, the workmanship in it throughout is superb, notably in the purfling and corners where accuracy prevails, and also in the scroll, which is elegant and nicely balanced.

With instruments like these the Chinese are demonstrating why they are now indisputable leading the world in high quality trade instrument - a position previously occupied by Germany and France during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but definitely now occupied by the more reputable studios in China. To be honest, instruments such as these now rival the best output of the old large French studios such as that of Jérôme Thibouville-Lamy (JTL) a hundred years ago. Unfortunately we don't always see the finest Chinese output in South Africa, mainly because the big importers and distributors of such instruments usually import only the lower and cheapest models into this country, leading musicians to believe that there is nothing better available from China - but how far from the truth. Workmanship and materials in contemporary Chinese lutherie rival, and in many ways have surpassed, the finest output of current European studios.

As a point of interest - this deeply flamed maple used for the back and sides in this cello is characteristic of the Chinese maple sourced in very cold northern regions close to the border with Russia. To my knowledge the Chinese refuse to export this wood to the West for violin-making purposes and this quality wood remains a clear identifier of better Chinese workmanship.

This cello is very well-toned and a pleasure to play on.

It is currently fitted with a set of Tomastik Spirit strings and is sold with a padded zipped carry bag.

Dimensions :
	Standard full-size Stradivari model. Stop length: 69 cm.

Condition :
	Impeccable. A new instrument.

Provenance :
	Owned by Johan Grobbelaar

Price :

Withheld